Cathay Pacific passengers surged 30% in August

The group flew an average of 110,000 passengers per day.

Cathay Pacific carried 30% more passengers in August 2025 compared with August 2024, whilst Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs) increased by 32%, according to the group’s latest traffic figures.

This averages around 110,000 passengers per day.

In the first eight months of 2025, the number of passengers carried increased by 28% compared with the same period for 2024.

Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said the group saw robust leisure demand throughout August, particularly from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland to various short-haul destinations, alongside a surge in outbound student traffic towards the end of the month.

In addition, sentiment for travel to Japan has improved over July but still falls short of last year.

August also saw the resumption of Cathay Pacific’s four-times weekly service to Brussels, which reached a load factor of over 85%.

Meanwhile, the group’s cargo business saw 13% more cargo in August compared to the year before. Available Freight Tonne Kilometres (AFTKs) increased by 15%. In the first eight months of 2025, the total tonnage increased by 11% compared with the same period for 2024.

The group expects momentum on cargo business to continue as the traditional air cargo peak begins, spurred by new high-tech product launches.

“To meet rising demand, we will be introducing additional freighter schedules, including a new weekly service to Madrid from 13 October 2025,” Lau said.

Cathay’s low-cost airline, HK Express, meanwhile, saw passenger numbers increase by 36% whilst Available Seat Kilometres increased by 41% in August compared to the year before.

In the first eight months of 2025, the number of passengers carried increased by 32% compared with the same period in 2024.